Eve Langlais's Blog, page 161

A sneak peek at my current work in progress…

(Remember this is just a rough draft. But I thought I’d post a snippet from a part I really enjoy).

“Just because I don’t date, doesn’t mean I’m desperate.”

Didn’t date, as in couldn’t because despite her protests, the mating bond between them affected her? Excellent. It soothed his ruffled beast somewhat to know their female remained untouched. A smile tilted his lips. She might not know it, or accept it yet, but she belonged to him.

“Why are you grinning?”

“Because despite all your protests, you’re just fooling yourself. You haven’t dated anyone because you can’t. Your body knows it belongs to me.”

“Does not.”

“Oh, it does, baby. Every creamy, luscious inch.”

“Don’t talk to me like that,” she squeaked.

“Like what, baby? Talk like a man who appreciates what he sees? A man who remembers how it felt to kiss your full lips? To touch your body? I might have been drunk that night, but I’ve had years to remember. Years of lonely nights dreaming of your ivory skin against mine. The scent of you. The taste…”

Pupils dilating, breath quickening, she couldn’t hide the signs of her arousal. “Stop it.”

“Make me.” Canine blood in his veins or not, he practically purred the challenge.

“I’m not playing your game. I know you’re trying to seduce me using your wicked devil power again.”

He arched a brow. “Devil power?”

She blushed. “Nothing. Forget I said it.”

“You will tell me eventually. I intend to learn everything there is about you, from the first time you scraped your knee, to how you scream my name when you come.”

She shook her head in denial.

Too late. She couldn’t hide, not from him. He could smell her desire, the musky scent that gave it away and made his mouth water for a taste.

****

This short novel is just about done. It’s about a human girl who accidentally ends up mated to a werewolf, but with a few bumps and twists like an unexpected pregnancy. I’ll post more about it when it’s done later this week…

Happy New Year!

May the New Year bring you love and happiness. But watch out, because 2013 is also expected to bring a new purple alien in search of a human. So put on your prettiest underpants and watch the skies because you never know, he could be coming for you. lol.



Party safely. Drink responsibly. Have fun!

I’ll see you soon with some new stories.

Eve

Merry Christmas!

That’s all I really want to say. Enjoy yourself this holiday season. Live a little. Laugh a lot. And spend time doing what you love most; reading one of my books. LOL.

Merry Christmas! I’m off to drink some spiked coffee and watch my children giggle and grin their little faces off.

Eve

B&N, late to the party, but finally available

Sorry Nook owners. B&N was late to the party, as usual, but they finally managed to get Jungle Freakn’ Bride active and just in time too. What better way to relax during the hectic part of the holiday season than with a hot trek through the jungle with a pair of tribal warriors.

Enjoy!

Barnes and Noble

And the other online stores are…

AllRomance
Bookstrand
Kobo
Smashwords
Amazon.com(Available at all the Amazon stores so be sure to shop in the one appropriate for your region. And hey Canada, did you know Amazon.ca is now selling ebooks?)
Google Play
Amazon.co.uk

Hot, steamy threesomes, chauvinism and more are running wild in the jungle. Can you handle the heat?

Wanna F.U.C for Christmas?

lol, and yes, that was meant to sound dirtier than it is.

From December 17th to December 18th, 2012 ONLY, Croc and the Fox is free at AllRomance.com

You can stop rubbing your eyes and pick yourself up off the floor, lol, because yes, you read that right.  Croc and the Fox  is free for a very limited time at AllRomance.com ONLY.

Need a funny fix? Want to see why everyone want’s to be (or do) a F.U.C. agent, then click on over and download your free ecopy today.

I do hope you enjoy it and that it makes you snort out loud.

I’d also like to say,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May all the books you buy be filled with laughter and the type of HEA that makes you sigh happily, then hunt down the one you love for some down and dirty lovin’ !

Hehehe.

Eve

Can you handle the heat? – Jungle Freakn’ Bride

It’s here! Jungle Freak’n Bride is officially launched and available for those wanting a torrid, jungle romance with not one but two hunks. Did I mention they’re shapeshifting jaguars? So yummy. Here’s a little teaser…

Somewhere in the Lacandon jungle, a few days before Christmas…

     Nothing screamed “Wake up, dumbass!” like regaining consciousness to the fluttery warmth of something breathing moist air into her face. A living, breathing entity, which smelled both earthy and spicy – covered in tickly fur. In other words, something that didn’t belong in the shelter with her.


     Panic took complete control of her body. Despite knowing it was the middle of the night and pitch black, Carlie’s eyes flashed open to see the intruder. In retrospect, she perhaps should have feigned slumber, given she now stared into a pair of glowing eyes – one golden, the other a clear blue. Had she forgotten to note they glared – probably with murderous intent – a few paltry inches from her face? Not a good distance when it came to wild animals, especially with no bars to separate them.


     Should she freak? There’s a plan. Scream my face off, get eaten, and become a tiny blurb in the paper. On to option two – scream for help. Sure, because high, piercing shrieks won’t piss it off and send it into a murderous frenzy. Skipping that route seemed prudent. What did that leave? Peeing her pants? Seeing that Carlie held the control to her bladder only tenuously at the moment, it was almost a foregone conclusion. As for closing her eyes and pretending nothing stood over her eyeing her like a tasty tidbit? No way am I letting that creature out of my sight.


     Choices. Choices. To act or not to act? Maybe later she’d choose a route of escape. For the moment, it didn’t truly matter what she wanted to do as terror froze her from head to toe. She couldn’t utter a sound, not when her vocal cords refused to cooperate.


     Paralyzed by fear, she just concentrated on breathing – without any whimpering or reciting of Hail Mary. Funny how staring death in its mismatched eyes could make a girl find religion. Lying like a wax statue seemed best considering any sudden motion or sound might startle the jungle cat staring intently at her.


     How did she know a giant kitty hovered over her? She’d watched enough documentaries about the Lacandon jungle region to recognize those distinctive orbs of what she’d wager was a jaguar. The massive golden eye and round pupil shape gave it away, even if the fact the cat also possessed a blue one was an anomaly.


     

How did I not hear it enter the tent? How did it get in? She’d drawn the zipper tight and snapped it shut so nothing could sneak in and snuggle with her. It only took waking to one fist-sized, hairy spider – with a scream to wake the dead – to realize the merit of making her sleeping area as secure as possible.


     

A damp nose nudged her cheek. Carlie bit a threatening shriek into submission.


     

Did the how-it-got-in matter? Only one simple fact mattered. A big ass cat stood over her, and judging by the glint in its narrowing, mismatched eyes, the feline was damned hungry. A raspy tongue emerged and swiped across her cheek, then back, leaving a wet trail.


     

Oh, dear God. She waited for the jaguar to follow with a great big bite, and held her breath as her whole body tensed. It rubbed a furry head against the wet spot. Soft, silky fur did not distract her from the fact this wild creature wasn’t a domestic pet. Out came the tongue again, trailing over her cheek to her chin and then across her lips. Oh, no way.


     

“Gross!” she exclaimed, finding her voice. “That was so uncalled for. If you’re going to eat me, then just do it already. No need to torture me with slobber and bad breath.” She wanted to slap herself for the outburst as soon as she uttered the last syllable. So much for staying calm in the face of death.
     

Expecting to get her face chewed off, she waved her hands around for a weapon – didn’t find one of course, unless her hand lotion counted. She did locate the small pencil flashlight she used at night if she needed to visit a bush for a late night pee. Brandishing it, she flicked it on, the feeble beam reflecting off the eyes of the predator.
     

“Get away,” she said in a wobbly voice, pointing it at the feline. “Or I’ll poke you with my stupid weapon.” A human would of course laugh at her threat, but she hoped the words and menacing wave with her object would… What? Make the giant cat suddenly tremble in fear?
     

The jaguar, of course, didn’t run away. It cocked its head, and darn it all if it didn’t seem as if it smiled. Wait, could cats smile?
     

A paw landed on her wrist, immobilizing her arm. A moment later, her other arm got pinned as well. The tip of its tongue peeked again for a quick swipe at her chin. It tickled. She squirmed, arms held flat, the sleeping bag trapping the rest of her limbs and torso under the caging legs of the cat. Forget escape. The jaguar lowered its body and squished her flat, its weight impressive enough to force the air out of her lungs. The head moved to the side, the disturbing eyes – showing too much intelligence and misplaced humor – left her as the feline sniffed her skin, nuzzling the bare flesh between shoulder and neck, then lower.

Lower? Wait a second. The damned creature was pulling the blanket in its teeth, the unzipping sound loud in the tent. Carlie wiggled madly to no avail. It seemed Mr. Kitty wanted its food unwrapped. The only good thing was it released her arms, and then her body, as it wiggled back, taking her sleeping bag with it.
     

Prey exposed, the jaguar proceeded to sniff its way up her body. The brush of a damp nose, too close to her girl parts made her pull up her legs. “Perv. Stay out of there. I’ve sworn off men for this trip, and that goes for big kitty cats too.”


     It ignored her and leaned forward to smell again. Before she could stop herself, she tapped it on the head. “No. Bad kitty.”


     

A low growl rumbled and mismatched eyes flashed in her direction.


     

Okay, perhaps she shouldn’t have smacked it. Still, though, it wanted her to lie still while he sized her up for dinner? Not freakn’ likely. Yet, what else could Carlie do? Her pale, human flesh would prove no match to a creature that not only outweighed her, but sported a set of nasty teeth and claws. Doing nothing, though, seemed dumbest of all.


     

I am not going to sit here and let the darned thing eat me. Not without a fight. She kept her legs up to her chest when it occurred to her she was no longer frozen, nor did she camp alone in the jungle. If she shouted out, then some of her expedition’s members would surely come to her aid. If they haven’t gotten mauled already.


     

Nothing like optimism to brighten a girl’s night. She opened her mouth, closed her eyes against the possible violence about to erupt, and prepared to let loose the mother of all yells.
     

Great plan, except a hand slapped over her lips, stifling any sound.


     

A hand? Who was in the tent with her and the cat? How did they all fit?


     

She opened her eyes, but even with her flashlight still feebly shining, the shadows were too thick for her to see anything with clarity.


     

An arm snaked around her upper body, and she reacted, thrashing against an iron band that didn’t budge. Of the cat, she saw and heard no sign, but at least now she knew how it got in. Someone let the jaguar in my tent. But why?


     

The hand over her mouth loosened as her attacker shifted her body. Carlie used his lapse to make her move. Biting down hard, she heard a sharp hiss, and she kicked out, glad for once of her extra size. She broke free and scrambled for the opening of the tent.


     

“Help m—” She didn’t finish her yell because a heavy body landed atop her, squashing her flat. Pinned to the ground, just like one of Roberson’s bugs, she could barely lift her head. Her poor vantage point didn’t stop her from taking stock of what she could glimpse. In the moonlight filtering down, what she saw made her groan. A new set of eyes, both golden this time, perused her. A new tongue licked her.


     

“What is it with the cats around here?” she grumbled, too annoyed at her aborted attempt of escape to show proper fear. Besides, her mind had already surmised the felines weren’t wild, killing machines, not if they worked with humans. However, she might have preferred a quick, if painful, death to the other possibilities. Slavers. Indigenes who believed in human sacrifice. Cannibals. Why couldn’t she ever imagine something nice, like that Ed McMahon guy and a giant check? Or that cute Ashton fellow and one of his famous pranks?


     

Hands yanked her body upright, snapping her back to the moment. She staggered at the abrupt motion. The damp evening air kissed her skin, her nighttime attire of shorts and a tank top leaving generous swaths of flesh exposed, an important thing to note because she fully felt the extent of taut, heated skin pressed against her rear. Very naked skin, garnished with an erection that poked her in the lower back, not an easy feat given her almost six foot height, which made the guy behind her pretty freakn’ tall. And horny. Let’s not forget horny.


     

Sucking in a shocked gasp, she went to lunge forward, but another bare chest hemmed her from the front, not that she saw it in the pitch dark outside her tent. She couldn’t avoid feeling it, though, when her hands touched a hot and hard male upper body. For a second, she stood frozen but not cold. Not anything close to cold with the naked, heated flesh sandwiching her. Under other circumstances, she might have even enjoyed it. But common sense prevailed, and she shoved at the male in front of her.


     

“Get away.” She didn’t think her words would do anything, but she had to try.


     

A guttural cough sounded behind her and the body in front took a step back. Spun around, she didn’t wobble as strong hands gripped her upper arms, holding her steady. Carlie peeked up, and things went hazy as soon as she met the impossible gaze of her captor. The blue and gold gaze of a cat, which now stared at her steadily from the face of a man.


     

What the freakn’ hell is going on? was her last cognizant thought before she inhaled something powdery and her mind went blank.

* * * * *

This hot new MFM novel is on sale now at all major online stores in print and e-book formats:

AllRomance
Bookstrand



Kobo
Smashwords


Amazon
B & N – Soon


Google Play
Amazon.co.uk


Apple
Lulu



Createspace
Amazon – Print

And if you thought this was hot, in a few days, I’ve got a super duper surprise for you. So be sure to come back for a peek. You’ll be glad you did.



Eve

Playing with my blurb

Hunh, that title sounds dirty somehow, yet it isn’t lol. I guess I know where my mind is this morning. Hehehe.

But back to my situation. I’m almost done Book Four in my Alien Abduction series, but for the first time in a while, I am struggling with the darned blurb. Two short paragraphs, that’s all I need, plus a catchy tagline, and yet they’re giving me such a hard time.

I’ve tried to do my usual couple of line summary for the main characters, but nothing works. Well, at least nothing I liked enough to save. So I did something a little different, but I’m not sure if I like it either. Even though the story is told in third person, I wrote the blurb primarily in first. This is the result (rough draft!!)

“He thought her an innocent, human virgin. She thought him a cold blooded killer. How wrong they both were — and so perfect for each other.

Greetings, Earthlings. I am Makl, a fearsome Galactic Warrior, and this is my story of mercenary abduction, an adventure filled with violence, mayhem and daring deeds. Live my passion and lust for the most unlikely creature, a human barbarian, a female I was fooled into thinking a prized virgin. Captivated by her pale skin and her two breasted frame, I stole her, or at least I meant to. That plan kind of went awry. But we ended up together despite it all, an unstoppable duo. We are famous beyond imagining, and therein lies the problem. I want to keep her, but I’m not ready to settle down and give up a life of adventure. Usually I don’t have a problem ditching my bed partners, so I don’t understand why the thought of losing her fills me with rage—and fear?

For the first time in my life, the Mercenary’s Guide to Prosperity doesn’t have an answer to my questions, and I don’t know who to kill to fix this — other than anyone who lusts after her.

Is it time I reevaluated my life or should I admit that maybe my cousins are right when they say love is the most priceless goal of all?

”

Yeah, so that’s what I’ve got. I don’t know if I like it. So, I’m constantly getting distracted tweaking it. What do you think?

Black Friday Special

I am not going to bore you with some long speech about Thanksgiving and goodwill because let’s face it, while turkey(with the fixings), family time and all that other holiday stuff is nice, the next few days are going to be about the sales. And not just sales, but massive savings. So, to get the readers out there started, several authors, including myself, are discounting some of our most popular books. Drooling yet? Kindles, Nooks, Ipads, cellphones and e-readers ready to get filled? Then without further ado, get ready to shop!

Hosted by :

Bonnie Vanak
Cat Johnson
Donna Grant
Eliza Gayle
Eve Langlais
Gemma Halliday
Jade Lee
Kallypso Masters
Lexi Blake
Liliana Hart
Lisa Renee Jones
Patti O’Shea
Selena Blake

ENJOY!! Oh and happy ~gobble-gobble~ (wink!)

Human and Freakn’ Giveaway!

Let’s make this simple. In celebration of the release of Human and Freakn’, I’m giving away one ecopy of the newest book in teh Freakn’ Shifters series. Simply leave a comment with your email address to enter. (It is international!)

Available for purchase at :

AllRomance
Bookstrand



Kobo
Smashwords


Amazon



Amazon.co.uk
Apple



Createspace
Amazon – Print

Forget the dangers of the jungle. In peril is Ruth’s heart when two hunky shifters become determined to claim her despite her humanity.

Warning: Can you handle a pair of hot wolves determined to claim an unsuspecting human? Expect extreme heat and a whole lot of fun in this threesome, jungle adventure. (MFM)

Trekking through the jungle isn’t Ruth’s idea of a good time, even if her companions are hotter than hell. With her sister missing, though, she’ll do anything to find her – slog through swamps, squish giant centipedes, and fight her attraction to not one but two males intent on seduction. But when she discovers there’s more to the hunks accompanying her than meets the eye, will she accept their alter wolf egos, or completely freak?

Fate sure has a wicked sense of humor, trying to make Kendrick think the chubby human he meets in the jungle is his mate. Joke’s on him, though, because despite his preferences and attempts to stay away, he can’t help but fall for the tall and curvy Ruth. Harder to swallow, his buddy is falling for her too.

Joel knows firsthand how fickle human emotions are, but when he meets Ruth, all his best intentions get swallowed by the jungle as she worms her way into his heart – and makes him want to trust.

When Ruth’s human morals get in the way of two wolves and their need to claim what’s theirs, they’ll have to team up and show her two are so much more pleasurable than one.

Freakn’ Shifters series (each can be read as a stand alone):

Book #1 Delicate Freakn’ Flower
Book #2 Jealous And Freakn’
Book #3 Already Freakn’ Mated
Book #4 Human and Freakn’ – coming Nov 15th
Book #3.5 Jungle Freakn’ Bride – coming Dec 2012

* * * * *

Excerpt (18+):

Stay away. Stay away. Ruth kept telling herself that, especially after the way the guys previously cornered her into a manwich. But dammit, like a stupid moth, she wanted to get burned, or so she assumed when she took the spot between them on a log – at their behest and despite their matching grins – the lure of the crackling fire they’d built to ward off an unusual chill too much for her to resist.

Thighs pressing against hers, making her much too aware of them on either side, she held her hands out to the dancing flames.

“If only we had some marshmallows,” she joked.

“Mmm, something soft and sweet to bite into. Sounds yummy.” Sounding so innocent on the surface, she couldn’t help a curl of heat from forming at the implied innuendo. Or was she imagining the sexual overtone? By now, she surely wasn’t the only one craving real food.

The others in the group, with feeble excuses, wandered off, Peter to sleep, Liam and Fernando for a stroll – which, given they walked all day, made no sense to her or her sore glutes.

Silence set in as her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth, a sudden shyness overtaking her. It was one thing to converse with the guys, or go toe-to-toe with them when Kendrick pulled his macho routine, another to come up with small talk when she was all too aware of them alongside her. Not for the first time, she wished she understood what game they played. What they wanted of her. What she wanted of them. Actually, that answer came easily. Sex. But with which one?

Uncomfortable at the direction of her thoughts – naughty ones she just couldn’t seem to prevent, especially once Kendrick’s fingers claimed possession of her knee in a casual manner – she blurted, “How many more days until we reach the X on the map?”

“Hard to tell. It depends on the terrain. I figure we’ll come across the ruins on your map tomorrow; that is, if what you received is accurate. Then, at least another two, maybe three days to the mark where the X is, depending on how quickly we travel and any obstacles in our path.”

“And then what happens?”

“If your note is telling the truth, then fingers crossed, we’ll find the girls and turn right around,” Joel replied.

“More walking?” She groaned. “Can’t we call a helicopter for a pickup? Speaking of which, how come we didn’t just have one drop us right on the spot?”

“Distance is an issue. As is missing clues only seen on the ground from the air.”

“Well, that sucks.”

“Tired?” Kendrick squeezed her knee when he asked.

“Nope.” She lied, not wanting to appear weak in front of them.

“I guess I won’t offer a massage then.”

Keep her distance – which she’d already failed to do – or succumb to the temptation of a rub? “Now let’s not be hasty.”

Joel chuckled. “Let’s loosen those muscles.” Standing, he moved behind her and dug in with his digits. She groaned. His fingers spread and danced along her tight shoulders, to her head-lolling delight. To her shock, Kendrick slid to his knees in front of her and grabbed a foot. She jerked it away.

“What are you doing?”

“What’s it look like I’m doing?”

“Catching your butt on fire?”

“Am not.” He said it, but Kendrick also peered behind him to make sure.

She grinned.

“Wench.” His tilted lips matched the mirth in his eyes.

“That’s for the spider comment this afternoon.”

“But I swear I saw it.”

“Sure you did,” she said, nodding her head, not believing him for one moment – now, at any rate. Earlier, when Kendrick claimed he saw a poisonous arachnid, she couldn’t move into his arms fast enough. Only Joel’s growl that nothing was there made her realize Kendrick did it to cop a feel. She found it hard to stay mad at him for his prank, given the girly part of her appreciated the reason for it. And yet, that was all he attempted. She still didn’t know if she liked him for not pushing her for something extra, or was annoyed that like Joel, he kept teasing without attempting to take that next step.

If only one of them would act, take charge and make the decision for her. At this point, her body craved some kind of relief, and so long as it was Joel or Kendrick offering, she didn’t care which.

Still kneeling, Kendrick grabbed her boot and removed it.

“Don’t you dare. I’m ticklish.” At least she was clean from the river bath she enjoyed earlier, a bath she was pretty sure had an audience of one, maybe two. Thankfully, the water flowed deep enough for her to kneel down and avoid giving too much of a show. She could have confronted her peepers and demanded they leave, but with every step that got them closer to the X on the map, the more her nerves coiled, especially as she noted the group’s watchfulness. There were worse things to worry about than a pair of hunks with a penchant for voyeurism.

“I am trying to relax you, so would you shut up and enjoy it?” Kendrick growled.

Ruth bit her lip, not to stem any more arguments from her, but because she almost moaned in a way that might have proven embarrassing as their strong fingers dug into her tense muscles. A moment later, her head lolled and she groaned blissfully, not caring who heard. “Oh my God. Yes. Mmm. Right there.”

Fully clothed, in plain sight, and not having anything sexual done to her; nevertheless, Ruth’s sounds of pleasure could have rivaled those heard in a bordello, and her panties bore moist witness to her enjoyment of their touch. If this was how they wanted to fight over her, then fight away.

Though relaxed, her body humming happily – it didn’t mean she didn’t sit bolt upright when a pair of lips began to caress her neck while a set of hands roamed up her thighs, closer and closer to the origin of the ache in her body. What were they doing?

Who cared? Wasn’t this what she wanted? Her breathing hitched as Joel found the sensitive spot at the back of her neck. He nibbled and a soft sigh parted her lips, followed by a squeak as Kendrick rubbed his jaw along her thigh. Sure, the material of her cargo pants was in the way, but it didn’t stop the tingles from racing through her. From her hoping he’d move a little higher. A little more to the middle. A…

* * * * *

This giveaway ends on Sunday, November 18th … so be sure to enter. Or if you can’t wait that long, buy your copy today.

Happy reading

Eve

Another week until you can FREAK!

The longest 7 days ever for eager readers lol as they wait for the newest Freakn’ Shifter story. In this fourth book, we’re visiting a hot and humid jungle. Rife with danger, mystery and discovery, our two, new heroes are cocky enough to handle everything thrown their way except the biggest shock of all. There’s a human among them, curvy, oblivious and oh so delectable, can they look past her humanity to make her their mate?

* * *

Trekking through the jungle isn’t Ruth’s idea of a good time, even if her companions are hotter than hell. With her sister missing, though, she’ll do anything to find her – slog through swamps, squish giant centipedes, and fight her attraction to not one but two males intent on seduction. But when she discovers there’s more to the hunks accompanying her than meets the eye, will she accept their alter wolf egos, or completely freak?

Fate sure has a wicked sense of humor, trying to make Kendrick think the chubby human he meets in the jungle is his mate. Joke’s on him, though, because despite his preferences and attempts to stay away, he can’t help but fall for the tall and curvy Ruth. Harder to swallow, his buddy is falling for her too.

Joel knows firsthand how fickle human emotions are, but when he meets Ruth, all his best intentions get swallowed by the jungle as she worms her way into his heart – and makes him want to trust.

When Ruth’s human morals get in the way of two wolves and their need to claim what’s theirs, they’ll have to team up and show her two are so much more pleasurable than one.

Warning: Can you handle a pair of hot wolves determined to claim an unsuspecting human? Expect extreme heat and a whole lot of fun in this threesome, jungle adventure. (MFM)

Excerpt (18+):





Stay away. Stay away. Ruth kept telling herself that, especially after the way the guys previously cornered her into a manwich. But dammit, like a stupid moth, she wanted to get burned, or so she assumed when she took the spot between them on a log – at their behest and despite their matching grins – the lure of the crackling fire they’d built to ward off an unusual chill too much for her to resist.

Thighs pressing against hers, making her much too aware of them on either side, she held her hands out to the dancing flames.

“If only we had some marshmallows,” she joked.

“Mmm, something soft and sweet to bite into. Sounds yummy.” Sounding so innocent on the surface, she couldn’t help a curl of heat from forming at the implied innuendo. Or was she imagining the sexual overtone? By now, she surely wasn’t the only one craving real food.

The others in the group, with feeble excuses, wandered off, Peter to sleep, Liam and Fernando for a stroll – which, given they walked all day, made no sense to her or her sore glutes.

Silence set in as her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth, a sudden shyness overtaking her. It was one thing to converse with the guys, or go toe-to-toe with them when Kendrick pulled his macho routine, another to come up with small talk when she was all too aware of them alongside her. Not for the first time, she wished she understood what game they played. What they wanted of her. What she wanted of them. Actually, that answer came easily. Sex. But with which one?

Uncomfortable at the direction of her thoughts – naughty ones she just couldn’t seem to prevent, especially once Kendrick’s fingers claimed possession of her knee in a casual manner – she blurted, “How many more days until we reach the X on the map?”

“Hard to tell. It depends on the terrain. I figure we’ll come across the ruins on your map tomorrow; that is, if what you received is accurate. Then, at least another two, maybe three days to the mark where the X is, depending on how quickly we travel and any obstacles in our path.”

“And then what happens?”

“If your note is telling the truth, then fingers crossed, we’ll find the girls and turn right around,” Joel replied.

“More walking?” She groaned. “Can’t we call a helicopter for a pickup? Speaking of which, how come we didn’t just have one drop us right on the spot?”

“Distance is an issue. As is missing clues only seen on the ground from the air.”

“Well, that sucks.”

“Tired?” Kendrick squeezed her knee when he asked.

“Nope.” She lied, not wanting to appear weak in front of them.

“I guess I won’t offer a massage then.”

Keep her distance – which she’d already failed to do – or succumb to the temptation of a rub? “Now let’s not be hasty.”

Joel chuckled. “Let’s loosen those muscles.” Standing, he moved behind her and dug in with his digits. She groaned. His fingers spread and danced along her tight shoulders, to her head-lolling delight. To her shock, Kendrick slid to his knees in front of her and grabbed a foot. She jerked it away.

“What are you doing?”

“What’s it look like I’m doing?”

“Catching your butt on fire?”

“Am not.” He said it, but Kendrick also peered behind him to make sure.

She grinned.

“Wench.” His tilted lips matched the mirth in his eyes.

“That’s for the spider comment this afternoon.”

“But I swear I saw it.”

“Sure you did,” she said, nodding her head, not believing him for one moment – now, at any rate.

Earlier, when Kendrick claimed he saw a poisonous arachnid, she couldn’t move into his arms fast enough. Only Joel’s growl that nothing was there made her realize Kendrick did it to cop a feel. She found it hard to stay mad at him for his prank, given the girly part of her appreciated the reason for it. And yet, that was all he attempted. She still didn’t know if she liked him for not pushing her for something extra, or was annoyed that like Joel, he kept teasing without attempting to take that next step.

If only one of them would act, take charge and make the decision for her. At this point, her body craved some kind of relief, and so long as it was Joel or Kendrick offering, she didn’t care which.

Still kneeling, Kendrick grabbed her boot and removed it.

“Don’t you dare. I’m ticklish.” At least she was clean from the river bath she enjoyed earlier, a bath she was pretty sure had an audience of one, maybe two. Thankfully, the water flowed deep enough for her to kneel down and avoid giving too much of a show. She could have confronted her peepers and demanded they leave, but with every step that got them closer to the X on the map, the more her nerves coiled, especially as she noted the group’s watchfulness. There were worse things to worry about than a pair of hunks with a penchant for voyeurism.

“I am trying to relax you, so would you shut up and enjoy it?” Kendrick growled.

Ruth bit her lip, not to stem any more arguments from her, but because she almost moaned in a way that might have proven embarrassing as their strong fingers dug into her tense muscles. A moment later, her head lolled and she groaned blissfully, not caring who heard. “Oh my God. Yes. Mmm. Right there.”

Fully clothed, in plain sight, and not having anything sexual done to her; nevertheless, Ruth’s sounds of pleasure could have rivaled those heard in a bordello, and her panties bore moist witness to her enjoyment of their touch. If this was how they wanted to fight over her, then fight away.

Though relaxed, her body humming happily – it didn’t mean she didn’t sit bolt upright when a pair of lips began to caress her neck while a set of hands roamed up her thighs, closer and closer to the origin of the ache in her body. What were they doing?

Who cared? Wasn’t this what she wanted? Her breathing hitched as Joel found the sensitive spot at the back of her neck. He nibbled and a soft sigh parted her lips, followed by a squeak as Kendrick rubbed his jaw along her thigh. Sure, the material of her cargo pants was in the way, but it didn’t stop the tingles from racing through her. From her hoping he’d move a little higher. A little more to the middle. A…

* * *

They never expected to fall for a human, but that won’t stop them from claiming her.

Freakn’ Shifters series (each can be read as a stand alone):

Book #1 Delicate Freakn’ Flower

Book #2 Jealous And Freakn’

Book #3 Already Freakn’ Mated

Book #4 Human and Freakn’ – coming Nov 15th

Book #3.5 Jungle Freakn’ Bride (Coming Dec 2012)

COMING NOVEMBER 15th to an online store near you

To get an email notice when this book releases, along with links to the stores carrying it,

JOIN my mailing list. Or visit my site, www.EveLanglais.com on or after November 15th.

In the meantime, Happy Reading!

Eve